Migraines end Notre Dame LB Spond’s playing career

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Notre Dame linebacker Danny Spond says he has decided to end his playing career after suffering a paralyzing migraine headache for a second straight year.

Spond issued a statement Tuesday saying that because the cause of the hemiplegic migraines is not known, he decided to stop playing. Coach Brian Kelly announced Saturday that Spond had told teammates a medical condition had ended his playing career.

Notre Dame’s team physician, Dr. Jennifer Malcolm, said the migraines are a rare form of headache that cause temporary stroke-like symptoms, such as weakness and slurred speech. Last season he underwent rehabilitation to learn to walk again and missed the first two games before starting the final 11 and finishing with 39 tackles.